Procrastination. Are you one of the people who procrastinates? Many procrastinators may not even be able to tell you why they put things off. By definition, procrastination is something that is put off needlessly. You are not likely procrastinating if you haven’t done something just because you have had other things to do. However, if you are putting off your task and trying to find other things to do instead, you are likely procrastinating. This behavior can be destructive and is not very healthy. Therefore, if you are aware of your procrastinating behavior, you should work on eliminating it forever. There are many reasons not to procrastinate. We all know that stress is not good for us mentally as well as physically. Which is why one of the most important reasons not to put things off is because by putting things off until the last possible minute. You put yourself through unnecessary stress. You may think avoiding the situations may lessen your stress, but when it all boils down, actually put more pressure on yourself to get it done at the last minute. The more time you have to accomplish something, the less stress. If you do a little bit of it each day, then you will likely find you have finished before your due date.
If you're putting off writing a research paper or doing a work related project, you probably have strict due dates involved. Other tasks, like cleaning out your closet, may not have a due date that will be enforced by anyone other than yourself. People tend to procrastinate when it comes to these tasks. If there is no one who will hold you accountable for not doing the task, it is likely you will leave it undone. Try setting a schedule for yourself with these tasks. Create a schedule and write down these task, this will provide a reminder of what you need to accomplish. If you have to clean your entire house, designate one room for each day of the week. Therefore, you will get your home clean, but won’t waste a complete weekend doing it.
A second reason not to procrastinate is because procrastination will leave you unproductive on other tasks. If you always have that one task you have been putting off in the back of your mind, then you will not be able to completely focus on other tasks you may be doing. Go ahead and get the main task done before moving on to something else. This will give your mind the freedom to concentrate on tasks that will follow. It is very difficult to focus on reading a book when the thought of your upcoming term paper is lingering in your mind.
A great way to help yourself prioritize is to make a good old fashioned list of things you need to accomplish and their dates. After listing everything, grab a clean sheet of paper and organize your tasks by importance and date. Put things that weigh heavy on your mind near the top of your list so you can get them out of the way. Set yourself free and do the most important task on your “To-Do List”. Making a list can really motivate you to get things done.
A third reason you should steer clear of procrastination is because it can lead to sloppy work. If you wait until the last minute to tackle a task, it is probably not going to be your best work. This may not be important if your task is to clean your room. However, if the task involves an important work or school project, it could mean much more. It is best to always show your best work when working on a task. The only way you can show your best work is by allowing yourself plenty of time to do the task. This means you will not leave the task undone until the last minute.
If you have a problem with procrastination, then consider making three little signs labeled with these reasons you should not put things off and leave them in your workspace. They will help you remember that your behavior of the past is not productive and only causes more problems in the long run. The sooner you get things done, the better you will feel about everything!
